The 2020 F-250 Super Duty represents Ford's fourth-generation platform with two vastly different engine experiences: the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel has proven relatively bulletproof at this point in its evolution, but the brand-new 7.3L Godzilla gas engine has serious teething problems with catastrophic failures appearing surprisingly early.
Symptoms: sudden severe knocking or rattling from engine, loss of power, metal shavings in oil, check engine light with multiple misfire codes, oil pressure warning
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short-block replacement required. Root causes vary—piston ring failures, spun rod bearings, or crankshaft damage. This is a 25-35 hour job including R&R, machine work if salvaging heads, and reassembly. Some cases qualify for Ford goodwill coverage even out of warranty due to defect patterns.
Estimated cost: $12,000-18,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure (10R140 10-Speed)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid in coolant (strawberry milkshake in overflow), transmission overheating warnings, harsh shifting or slipping, coolant loss with no external leaks
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator fails, cross-contaminating fluids. Requires radiator replacement, complete transmission fluid flush (sometimes multiple flushes), and often transmission filter/pan service. If contamination goes unnoticed, transmission rebuild follows. Catch it early and it's a 4-6 hour job; ignore it and add 20+ hours for trans work.
Symptoms: diesel fuel smell, visible fuel wetness on top of engine, hard starting when cold, fuel level drops faster than normal, check engine light for fuel system pressure
Fix: Fuel filter housing develops cracks or o-ring failures, leaking onto hot engine. Fire risk if ignored. Replacement is straightforward—2-3 hours including bleeding the system and checking for air. Ford updated the design but early 2020s still get the problematic version.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Transmission Mount Failure (10R140)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk when shifting from park to drive, vibration at idle in gear, visible transmission sag on inspection, driveline shudder during acceleration
Fix: Rubber transmission mount deteriorates prematurely, especially on trucks used for towing. The 10-speed's torque characteristics seem to accelerate wear. Straightforward replacement, 1.5-2 hours. Check both transmission and transfer case mounts while you're under there.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Front Seat Recliner Mechanism Failure (NHTSA Recall)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: seat back suddenly reclines, recliner lever feels loose or doesn't engage, seat rocks forward/back when it shouldn't, clicking or grinding from seat mechanism
Fix: Covered under recall 20S39—recliner mechanism can disengage in a crash. Ford replaces the entire seat recliner assembly. This is warranty/recall work, roughly 2 hours per seat. Schedule it and get it done—safety-critical.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall repair)
DEF System Crystallization and Heater Failure (6.7L Diesel)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: reduced engine power message, DEF system fault warnings, won't start or speed limited to 5 mph, DEF gauge reads empty when full, check engine light with NOx sensor codes
Fix: DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) heater fails or lines crystallize from contaminated/old DEF or freezing cycles. Can require DEF tank removal, heater replacement, line flushing, and sometimes injector replacement. Labor varies wildly—4 hours for simple heater, 8-12 hours if tank comes out. Always use fresh DEF and keep tank above 1/4 in winter.
Estimated cost: $600-2,500
Owner tips
If buying a 7.3L gas engine, get a pre-purchase oil analysis and compression test—early bearing/piston failures are too common to skip this step
On 6.7L diesels, change fuel filters every 15k miles (Ford says 20k but that's optimistic) and only use top-tier DEF from high-turnover locations
Check transmission fluid color at every oil change—any pink tint in coolant means drop everything and address the cooler immediately
The 10R140 transmission is sensitive to fluid condition—use Motorcraft ULV (not Mercon LV) and change at 60k if towing regularly
Inspect transmission and transfer case mounts annually if you tow over 10k lbs—cheap insurance against driveline damage
Buy a 2020 F-250 with the 6.7L diesel without hesitation if maintained; avoid the 7.3L Godzilla unless you're gambling or can verify clean oil analysis history—too many grenading early for a truck this expensive.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Dual battery system standard on 6.7L Power Stroke diesel; two batteries required
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Control Modules — 2020 Ford F-250
Every control module on the 2018-2020 Ford F-250 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 6R140 auto: integrated with valve body inside transmission (TEHCM); 6R80 auto: integrated with valve body inside transmission (TEHCM); 10R140 auto: integrated with valve body inside transmission (TEHC
🔧 Ford IDS/FDRS + J2534
⚠️ Transmission Electronic Hydraulic Control Module; requires transmission pan removal, fluid replacement, adaptive learning drive cycle
Power Steering Control Module (PSCM)2.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.5 hrwith electric power steering (non-diesel)▸ programming details
📍 Attached to electric power steering column assembly below instrument panel
🔧 Ford IDS/FDRS + J2534
⚠️ Gasoline engines only; diesel uses hydraulic steering with no module
Body Control Module (BCM)2.0 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +1.0 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind center of instrument panel, above center floor tunnel
🔧 Ford IDS/FDRS + J2534
⚠️ Stores as-built configuration data for entire vehicle; critical for all body functions, lighting, and accessory control
⚠️ Function integrated in BCM; key programming and PCM security link required; listed separately for service reference
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Vehicle Info — 2020 Ford F-250
Performance
Horsepower
475hp
Torque
1,050lb-ft
0–60 mph
6.1sec
Quarter mile
14.6sec
Top speed
98mph
Capability & size
Towing capacity
20,000lb
Payload
4,260lb
Curb weight
7,200lb
Wiper blades
13th/14th generation Super Duty. 2023+ refreshed but same blade specifications.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2020 Ford F-250 6.7L V8 Power Stroke Diesel and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.